Tiny Umbrellas

Martin Woods

Jessie James Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

Lyle Fass
9.8

Wow. The nose is neutral. OMG that palate is decadent and severely structured and the most velvety tannins that are squeezing out unreal tiny fruit intensity. This is the most epic Pinot in Oregon. This is a french Grand Cru wine being made in Oregon. Unreal structure, high acid, Inner mouth aromas. Judgement deferred. 9.6 based on past notes. I will follow this over the next few days. After 7 hours nose is more decadent but still not yielding what it can. This will be better tomorrow. Lovely spice but I know what this wine can be. The texture on the palate though is really coming through. Juicy and supple but still clipped finish. But long. 9.6 to 9.7. but I can’t wait for tomorrow. It’s so juicy and so layered. Impressive. Palate is so supple and dense on day 2. Unreal tannins, depth, sweetness and power. 9.7 to 9.8. — 2 months ago

Matthew, Spencer and 6 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2013

Screaming blast of tart lemon acidity. Not very pleasant. Beautiful light yellow with tiny scrubbing bubbles. After about 15-20 minutes a type of weighted creamy mid-palate makes me smile. Way too young, but simply luscious and lifted with a long, caressing finish. — 10 months ago

Ron, Severn and 12 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Jacques Girard

Les Lavières Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2019

Lyle Fass
9.5

Girard really did well in 19. This has a level of aromatic refinement you only get in the best Girard vintages. 12 is the best vintage before this. Then 14. Then 17. 13 is a favorite of mine even if it is ranked here. Anyways the nose has refined and precise florals, dark black cherry that has a stank to it. Just classy and intense. Screams great vintage. Palate is terrific. Beautiful soaking fruit, amazing cut, clarity, freshness and concentration. Has that amazing tiny berry intense black/red 19 fruit. Focused like a laser. This is so good. What a spine this has. Lavieres always ages well but thus will age particularly well. Add 5 years to whatever window you think. Maybe 10. Wild berry fruit and wet earth develop with air. Really pretty and complex. Compact with terrific fruit sweetness. Superb grip. I’d wait 5-6 years. What a finish. Maybe the finest young red I’ve had from Girard. — 3 years ago

Peter, Vanessa and 14 others liked this

Lilbert-Fils

Cramant Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay 2014

Excellent Champagne. This tiny house does such a good job! Crisp and clean. Lovely Chardonnay fruit. — 3 months ago

Ira, Brian and 7 others liked this

Bollinger

La Grande Année Brut Champagne Blend 1996

From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — 8 months ago

Douglas, Billy and 8 others liked this

Bodegas Orben

Orben Rioja Tempranillo 2019

Sourced from over 70 tiny parcels of old-vine, head-pruned Tempranillo blended with a small percentage of Graciano, aged 15 months in French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, sweet spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe plum with notes of vanilla, spice, tobacco and floral herbs. Fine firm tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and earthy character. Very nice! — 2 years ago

Paul, Tom and 2 others liked this

Kukeri

Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a tasty one from Mount Veeder.

Deep ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black plums, black currants, dark coffee, oak, spices, pencil lead, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, earth, light herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, coffee, vanilla, spices, cola, licorice, mint, black pepper, bitter herbs, vegetables and earth.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins, cranberries and peppercorn.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink nicely now, although it needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Showing nice complexity, elegant and spicy, with lots of earth notes.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

Smooth, elegant and tangy. Feels like a young Bordeaux, and will age nicely in the next 10 years.

Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats. I paired it with a Brie cheese and crackers.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 30 months in French oak barrels (50% new). A tiny production of only 125 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$95.
— 3 years ago

Alex, Daniel P. and 18 others liked this

Walter Hansel Winery

Cahill Lane Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

From 100% Wente clones that get max hang time, large and tiny berries packed together, pale lemon with subtle aromas of citrus and stone fruits. On the palate flavors of apple, lemon and lime flavors, crisp acidity, long finish ending with rich mineral character. Perfect now! — 6 months ago

Juan, Paul and 2 others liked this

Enderle & Moll

Liaison Pinot Noir 2021

Lyle Fass
9.2

Gorgeously floral nose. Unreal mid season cherries with such lift and clarity. Wow. So clean. Gorgeous spices as well. Palate is juicy and clean. Sappy, pure and clean. Just a great and classic bottle of Liaison. Wispy tannins. Excited to see how this develops. After 24 hours nose is so deep and has great roses and violets. High toned mid season cherry. Really pretty. Terrific spice and only a tiny VA that just adds and does subtract. Palate is juicy and lean. Clean and classic. So linear and clear. Such great mid season cherry fruit. Nimble and not as powerful as recent vintages. — 8 months ago

Ray, Tyler and 9 others liked this
Spencer Fox

Spencer Fox

the best

Sea Smoke

Sea Spray Blanc de Noirs Sta. Rita Hills Sparkling Pinot Noir 2014

12 months of sur lie aging in barrel, bottle aged an additional 24 months prior to disgorging, wine was finished with no dosage.Pale lemon with aromas of stone fruits, blossom and yeasty notes, fine creamy mousse and tiny rapid bubble flow, full-bodied, ripe apple and pear on the palate, citrus and some spice, nice acidity, well balanced ending with toasty mineral notes. Nice! — 3 years ago

Daniel P., Juan and 3 others liked this